Why does Allah use the cheap "carrot and stick approach" to pressure Muslims into violent Jihad?

Question

Consider these two aya's (verses) in the Quran:

Carrot >

Quran 4:74 "Let those fight in the cause of Allah Who sell the life of this world for the hereafter. To him who fighteth in the cause of Allah,- whether he is slain or gets victory - Soon shall We give him a reward of great (value)." http://cwis.usc.edu/dept/msa/quran/004.q...

Stick -

Quran 2:216 "FIGHTING IS PRESCRIBED FOR YOU (muslims), and ye dislike it. But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth, and ye know not." http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/002.qmt.html#002.216

In the first aya, Allah is promising Muslims a "reward of great value" if they "fight" and are "slain or victorious". This is the simple carrot-approach that you might use with your child.

In the second aya, Allah insists that "fighting is prescribed" for you, so even if it feels wrong, you must murder for him otherwise you defy his will.

Answer 1

Why don't the Jihad leaders want the carrot.

Answer 2

The 2 refereces you have given are to be used in Context. Keeping aside really religion, in any community and in any faith , fighting for a true cause is considered bravery and those who die fighting are called martyrs. But the cause has to be right. The things for which the terrorists fight these days are neither just causes, nor anything Islamic about it. In all faiths and commuities we usually admire martyrs and Quran speaks the same about rewarding the martyrs and rewards in after life, but the ends have to justify the means! Its the cause for which you fight! So in the passages described by you, if you fight for the cause then there are rewards. None of these cowards from Osama and his clan can expect these mentioned rewards.

Our prophet didnt kill women, children, or anyone who did not want to fight! His worst enemy in the spread of Islam was Abu Sufyan, and he was not killed when Makkah was won. These are examples the terrorists dont learn from the Prophet's life. These days they kidnap people in pretext of their fight and behead them, where as there is no example of the prophet or his loyal aides ever doing this!

And now the definition of Jihad. Through out the west it is a perception Jihad means war or the Holy war. It is just a media hyped definition or the terrorists hyped definition. To Do jihad actually means to Strive, and not to war. War can be one kind of Jihad, but all wars are not jihads.

After one of the battles, the soldiers were tired and exhausted, and the Prophet came and told them, this was a small Jihad from tomorrow we have to prepare for even a bigger Jihad. They panicked as they had no strength for a battle. The prophet explained that the Jihad was to redeem their souls. To lead a life of a True Muslim, Abstinence from all evil. Respect for mankind etc.

So really the word Jihad is misused by all, the media as well as these so called saviours of Islam.

Answer 3

fighting does not have to be "murdering" but a self-struggle in the soul . Jihad is not fighting the enemy (except in self-defense) but fighting temptations such as being greedy, being hatefull and all other sins. If you read the whole Koran, you should know that killing is a ticket to hell. However, I do not argue that some of its verses are controversial.

Answer 4

as a christian, my book is full of carrots and sticks as well. eternal damnation and separation from God or and eternal reward. hmm!

the jews of the old testament were rife with viloence, sex and intrigue. just look at king david, the song of solomon and the battles that God commanded: "destroy every man, woman, child and creature that creepeth upon the earth" was used a few times.

and each and every man, woman, child were slain. in some instances the animals were kept and sacraficed to God in His honor, but they paid the consequences for not obeying.

the carrot? riches from the conquered.
the stick? we will get you next, if you dont believe.

-eagle

Answer 5

It all depends on how you look at it. In order to understand the underlying message, you need to tie it with the preceding and the following verses. It's like taking any given sentence and using it out of context to prove your point. Be objective, do your due diligence and thorough research and try to see what's behind the curtain, before throwing assumptions so recklessly.

“It is God’s kindness to terrify you in order to lead you to safety.”

~ Mevlana Rumi

Answer 6

Your question warrants no answer it is based completely out of context and for you to ever understand would be an impossibility. The Quran was sent down throughout the life of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) during his life muslims had to defend themselves from the onslaught of Meccans/other armies of the time. For a very long time muslims were not prescribed to fight until our very existence was at risk only then, and there are MANY restrictions as to reasons for fighting and how to fight. I encourage you to read commentaries and the context of when these Ayahs and as to why they were revealed.
4:75-
And what is wrong with you that you fight not in the Cause of Allah, and for those weak, illtreated and oppressed among men, women, and children, whose cry is: "Our Lord! Rescue us from this town whose people are oppressors; and raise for us from You one who will protect, and raise for us from You one who will help."
76Those who believe, fight in the Cause of Allah, and those

who disbelieve, fight in the cause of Taghoot (Satan, etc.). So fight you against the friends of Shaitan (Satan); Ever feeble indeed is the plot of Shaitan (Satan).
77Have you not seen those who were told to hold back their hands (from fighting) and perform As-Salat (IqamatasSalat), and give Zakat, but when the fighting was ordained for them, behold! a section of them fear men as they fear Allah or even more. They say: "Our Lord! Why have you ordained for us fighting? Would that you had granted us respite for a short period?" Say: "Short is the enjoyment of this world. The Hereafter is (far) better for him who fears Allah, and you shall not be dealt with unjustly even equal to the Fatila (a scalish thread in the long slit of a datestone).

Again fighting is prescribed for us in defense of our religion not in offense as again when islam was attacked as it was being revealed we were given the ability to fight back and defend ourselves. It is not the way you describe it as OBLIGATORY for a muslim to kill that is NOT true.

Answer 7

Because as much as they would not like to admit it, Islam and Christianity have a lot in common and they have learned so much from each other. Carrot and Stick and the beaurocrats tools for the masses.

Answer 8

I don't know but I question the term "fighting". To me Muslims don't "FIGHT". All they do is either blow themselves up with someone else or just blow other people up. It seems to me that Allah would consider that cowardly. At least I do anyway.

Answer 9

Why must you make it here? I do hope you are an atheist in which case wrong category. Have a happy day ok

Answer 10

Too much to read! Boring. I have too little attention span to read it all. Learn to do the Reader's Digest version!